Copper

License to brag: taken at Pebble Beach Golf Links, California. Read more...

“The sound that inspired a generation”: an original pair of McIntosh tube 350-watt monoblock amplifiers, circa 1968 – 1971. This amp was famously used at the 1969 Woodstock festival. ... Read more...

Envy of None: Alex Lifeson of Rush Joins a New Band

Fans longing for new music from legendary Canadian progressive rocker Alex Lifeson of Rush will have to wait no longer, as the guitar virtuoso’s newest group, Envy of None, has... Read more...

Musical Realism and the Performance of Our (Aging) Ears

As a male of 67 years (as of this writing), I’ve recognized for some time that my ears are not the golden performers they once were. I’ve recently confirmed through... Read more...

All You Need Is Love…and Maybe a Shiny Suitcase Full of Money!

Recently I picked up my four-year-old grandson Henry after preschool, and upon getting him buckled securely into his car seat, we headed off to our lunch destination. My car stereo... Read more...

Three Days with Frank Sinatra, Part Three: The Cole Porter Suite

I’m sure it was pizza and ice cream that soothed my ego the day after Frank and Barbara abandoned me in the parking lot of Christina’s school. I learned to... Read more...

The Audiophile’s Opinion, Or, Why You Should Join (Or Start) an Audiophile Club

Many years back, along with about a dozen fellow audio club members, I attended a product demonstration at a well-known high-end audio writer’s home that made me question my sanity.... Read more...

Semele: It’s Not Just an Opera by Handel

In ancient Greek mythology, Semele is a mortal woman favored by the god Zeus. She becomes pregnant with his child. When Zeus’ wife, Hera, finds out, she disguises herself as... Read more...

Around the World In 80 Lathes, Part Ten

Previous installments covered the earlier history of Neumann and Scully lathes. A Neumann SX-74 cutter head, with helium tub in the front. Courtesy of Greg Reierson, Rare Form Mastering, Minneapolis,... Read more...

Pilgrimage to Sturgis, Part 18

The roads in the Black Hills are scenic and twisty, but during bike week, they are also crowded and slow. Sometimes it feels like spending a week in Walmart... Read more...

Marty Stuart: His Superlative Country Music Career

For most country musicians, long stints touring first with Lester Flatt and then Johnny Cash would add up to a fulfilling career. But guitarist, mandolinist, and singer Marty Stuart was... Read more...

Back to My Reel-to Reel-Roots, Part 12: The Sins of the Fathers

Following on from last month’s litany of offenses attributed to the manufacturers of pre-recorded tapes, please be aware that not all the misdeeds were committed by the record labels. Once... Read more...

Audio Advice’s Home Theater Designer Speaker Setup Software

Every so often I find it’s generally good practice to recalibrate my room to make sure that my system is performing well. This is not just so that I can... Read more...

The Handcuffs: This Band Just Might Save Rock And Roll

The lead single off of The Kinks’ 1978 album Misfits was “Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy.” In the song Ray Davies sings, “The King is dead, rock is done. You might be through,... Read more...

Public-Access TV: A Perfect Soapbox

I was not thinking about much; mostly I was just channel surfing, at home watching television, half paying attention at midnight on a Sunday night. I was in bed but... Read more...

The A&M Records Story, Part One

The year was 1962. A singer/trumpet player in Los Angeles, inspired by the sounds of a Tijuana bullfight, turned a song called “Twinkle Star” written by a composer and bandleader... Read more...

Al Schmitt On the Record: The Magic Behind the Music

When the legendary Al Schmitt passed away on April 26, 2021 at age 91, he left behind a tremendous musical legacy. He was one of the last of the great,... Read more...

Octave Records Releases Audiophile Masters, Volume I On Vinyl LP

PS Audio’s Octave Records has released a limited-edition vinyl LP of its Audiophile Masters, Volume I reference-quality compilation album. The disc features 10 previously released tracks by a variety of Octave Records and other... Read more...

Chairman At The Board: Bill Schnee On The Making of Some Iconic Records

The 1970s was a landmark era for both technological and artistic breakthroughs in the field of music recording. The 8-track recorder had just given way to 16-track models, transistor technology... Read more...

Octave Records Debuts Dreams of You: Classic Swing by Jeremy Mohney

Octave Records has released Dreams of You by vocalist and alto saxophonist Jeremy Mohney. It’s a recording that hearkens back to classic swing-era and traditional jazz, yet is up to the minute, with... Read more...

Purchase or Audition Locally